Check-in reports
A check-in report records the handover of a property to a new tenant. We meet the tenant at the property, go through the inventory with them, record meter readings and the keys handed over, and send the report the same day.
What a check-in report covers
The check-in confirms that the inventory is accurate on the day the tenant moves in. If anything has changed since the inventory was written, such as a new mark or a replaced appliance, we note it. The tenant can point out anything they think the report has missed while we are there.
- A walkthrough of the property with the tenant
- Confirmation of the inventory, room by room
- Any changes since the inventory was written
- Meter readings on the day of move-in
- Keys, fobs and remotes handed over
- Anything the tenant raises during the walkthrough
For furnished lets, the tenant can see each item on the inventory while we are in the room.
The tenant walkthrough
Going round the property together means the tenant sees the condition being recorded. It is the easiest point to settle a question about a stained carpet or a cracked tile, because everyone is standing in the room. If the tenant disagrees with part of the description, we note their comment in the report so it is on record from the first day.
Meter readings taken at check-in are also what the landlord or agent uses to move the utility accounts over to the new tenant.
When the check-in happens
The check-in is done on the day the tenancy starts, or as close to it as possible, once the property has been cleaned. We work 7 days a week, 08:00 to 20:00, so it can be booked for when the tenant is moving in, including weekends. If the property does not have an inventory yet, we write the inventory report first. Keys can be collected from your office beforehand or handed over at the property.
What you receive and when
The check-in report is sent digitally the same day. It sits alongside the inventory as the record of the property's condition when the tenant moved in.
To book, send the address, the number of bedrooms and the move-in date. The quote depends on the size of the property and whether an inventory is needed as well. We cover Chester, the Wirral, Ellesmere Port and Cheshire.
How the check-in is used later
At the end of the tenancy, the check-out report is compared with the inventory and check-in. If deductions from a deposit protected with TDS, DPS or mydeposits are disputed, the adjudicator looks at that comparison. The check-in also shows the meter readings the tenancy started with. Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the landlord or agent pays for the check-in, not the tenant.
Questions about check-in reports
Does the tenant need to be there for the check-in?
It is best if they are, so they can walk through the property with us and raise anything they think the report has missed. If they cannot attend, we can still complete the check-in and record meter readings and keys.
What is the difference between an inventory and a check-in?
The inventory is the detailed record of condition and contents. The check-in confirms that record with the tenant on move-in day, notes any changes, and records meter readings and keys.
How quickly is the check-in report sent?
The same day as the visit. We work 7 days a week, 08:00 to 20:00.
Other services we offer
Get a quote
Call or email with the address, the number of bedrooms and the date you need. We quote on the size of the property and the service.